10 February 2025; Namaste Thailand Festival – Khon: Episode of Hanuman the Mighty Warrior

Victoria Memorial Hall, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Kolkata is honoured to present ‘Namaste Thailand Festival’ on 10 February 2025. The event will feature the renowned Khon performance – Episodes of Hanuman the Mighty Warrior, a distinguished masked dance-drama that portrays the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic.

Khon, an ancient and revered art form inscribed in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018, exemplifies a harmonious integration of music, dance, and ritualistic traditions, reflecting the profound cultural exchanges between India and Thailand. The narrative of Hanuman’s valour and devotion is expressed through intricate choreography, symbolic gestures, and live music played on traditional indigenous instruments crafted from bamboo, wood, and metal. This visual and auditory masterpiece showcases the elegance of meticulously handcrafted costumes and masks, emblematic of Thailand’s rich craftsmanship. As a cultural celebration, the Khon performance serves as a bridge, uniting the shared heritage of India and Thailand and fostering mutual respect and understanding of the timeless artistic connections between the two nations.

Date: 10 February 2025
Venue: Western Terrace, Victoria Memorial Hall

27 January 2025: Western Classical Music Concert

On 27 January 2025, Victoria Memorial Hall and Alliance Française du Bengale  in collaboration with the Consulate General of France and the Consulate General of Italy in Kolkata organised ‘Mozart & Beethoven: Famous Piano Concertos’. This captivating event was part of the third edition of the Western Classical Music Concerts for 2024-2025. The Kolkata Sinfonietta Orchestra, under the esteemed direction of Didier Talpain, alongside the virtuoso pianist Alessandro Commellato, delivered a performance that captivated the audience.

12 January 2025; National Youth Day

On National Youth Day, 12 January 2025, Victoria Memorial Hall, in collaboration with Bondhu Ek Asha, organized a sit-and-draw competition celebrating young talent, including children with disabilities. The event concluded with a thought-provoking debate titled ‘Guardians of Legacy: Youth as Cultural Ambassadors,’ fostering meaningful dialogue on the role of youth in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

2 January 2025: Narrating the Nation through Paintings: Abanindranath Tagore’s Nationalism

Victoria Memorial Hall organised a distinguished lecture on ‘Narrating the Nation through Paintings: Abanindranath Tagore’s Nationalism’ on January 2, 2025, offering a deep dive into the intersection of art and nationalism. The session was followed by a captivating exhibition walkthrough, where attendees were able to explore the artworks of Abanindranath Tagore. The event provided a unique opportunity to engage with the rich legacy of one of India’s foremost artists and his portrayal of national identity through visual storytelling.

20th – 24th December 2024: First-Ever Victoria Memorial Hall Cultural Festival

Victoria Memorial Hall (VMH), the iconic landmark of Kolkata, hosted its first-ever ‘Victoria Memorial Hall Cultural Fest 2024 – Sanskriti Para’ from 20 to 24 December 2024. This inaugural event celebrated India’s rich artistic heritage, providing a vibrant platform for both established and emerging artists to showcase the diverse traditions of India’s classical art form. The fest highlighted VMH’s commitment to preserving and promoting India’s cultural legacy, offering a dynamic space for artistic exchange and appreciation.

7 December, 2024: Bengal Biennale Exhibitions inauguration, walkthrough and Panel discussion

On 7 December 2024, on the occasion of the Bengal Biennale 2024, Victoria Memorial Hall inaugurated four exhibitions, including ‘Between Home & the World: Arabian Nights, Cubist Expressions, and Feminine Interiors of Jorasanko.’  The inauguration was followed by a panel discussion featuring Shri R. Siva Kumar, curator, and Smt. Ratnabali Chatterjee, author and professor, who explored the exhibition’s artistic and cultural themes.

On the same day celebrated artist Padma Shri Paresh Maity led a walkthrough of his bronze sculpture ‘Urbanscape,’ in the form of a jackfruit, offering insights into the piece’s symbolic and urban significance.

5 and 6 December 2024: Utsav III

On 5 and 6 December 2024, Victoria Memorial Hall, in collaboration with Kolkata Centre for Creativity, successfully organized ‘Utsav III’ as part of the AMI Arts Festival 2024. This special event provided a valuable platform for young and emerging artists to showcase their talents across the disciplines of dance, music, and theatre.

9th December, 2024: Western Classical Music Concert

On 9 December 2024, Victoria Memorial Hall and Alliance Française du Bengale in association with the Consulate General of France in Kolkata organised ‘The Trumpet Shall Sound: A Festive Baroque Christmas Concert’ presented as part of the 3rd Edition of the Western Classical Music Concerts. This unforgettable evening featured the Kolkata Sinfonietta Orchestra and Choir, led by the esteemed French music conductor Didier Talpain, with Choir Master Ms. Sharmistha Barrow. The night sparkled with performances by the brilliant soprano Cheryl Bains and the exceptional French trumpeter Jean Baptiste Arnold.